Paintings of Bali have experienced remarkable evolution.
Traditionally another means of expressing religious and
mythological ideas, paintings of Bali have been subjected
to a number of influences, including deep interaction with
Western painters who came and lived in Bali. As with any
other artistic expression found in the island, these influences
have been uniquely adapted into Bali's personality, creating
new nuances and styles of paintings that are distinctly
Balinese. Instead of religious or mythical
characters of wayang, contemporary paintings present
nature, daily
lives of Balinese, or even tourists. The shades of coal
gray that dominate traditional paintings are now accompanied
by vibrant play of color capturing Jalak Bali or Gunung
Agung in the morning sun.

The Raja of Ubud was known for his fondness of arts and
paintings, and his openness to foreigners. Thus Ubud became
the center of arts, welcoming into its heart renowned artists
such as Bonnet, Spies, Blanco, Snel, et., many of whom came
and never could leave Bali. Today's Ubud is only slightly
different. You should not be surprised to run into a foreign
writer who has spent months living in a homestay facing
a rice field terrace while writing his next book. Fabulous
museums of paintings such as the Puri Museum Lukisan, the
Neka Museum, and the Rudana
Museum have in their permanent collections some of the
best paintings ever produced by Balinese or foreigners who
found their physical and artistic home in Bali.